Insecticidal compositions and method for insect control

ABSTRACT

An environmentally safe, non-phytotoxic pesticidal composition comprising natural plant oils geraniol and cedar oil and methods of controlling insects is provided.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to pesticidal compositions containingplant essential oils and to methods of controlling insects usingessential oils.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Insect pests cause significant losses to plants and plant products aswell as attack and annoy humans and animals. In household scenarios,insect pests may act as vectors for diseases and allergic matter. Overthe years, synthetic chemical pesticides such as synthetic pyrethroids,chlorinated hydrocarbons, organophosphates, carbamates and the like,have provided an effective means of pest control.

However, the public has become increasingly concerned that thewidespread use of synthetic chemical pesticides may have causeddetrimental environmental effects that are harmful to humans and otheranimals. For instance, the public has become concerned about the amountof residual chemicals that persist in food, ground water and theenvironment, and that may be toxic, carcinogenic or otherwiseincompatible to humans, domestic animals and/or fish. Moreover, sometarget pests have even shown an ability to develop resistance to manycommonly used synthetic chemical pesticides. In recent times, regulatoryguidelines have encouraged a search for potentially less dangerouspesticidal compositions via stringent restrictions on the use of certainsynthetic pesticides.

Accordingly, there is a great need for environmentally safe andpesticidally effective compositions that contain no syntheticpyrethroids, chlorinated hydrocarbons, organophosphates, carbamates, andthe like, that may be used against insect pests. It would also beadvantageous to provide easy to use, inexpensive compositions andmethods of using these compositions for controlling these pests thatprovide the benefits of quick knockdown and eventual mortality of thepests.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary object of the present invention is to provide environmentallysafe, non-phytotoxic and pesticidally effective compositions foragriculture or home use against insects. In particular, the presentinvention provides pesticidal compositions containing natural plant oilsthat will not harm the environment. Other aspects of the presentinvention will also be apparent.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides environmentally safe, non-phytotoxicpesticidal compositions comprising natural plant oils. In particular,the present invention provides a pesticidal concentrate, an aerosolformulation or a Ready-To-Use (RTU) liquid spray composition of theactive compounds generiol and cedar oil in admixture with a suitablecarrier, a surface active agent and optionally an aerosol propellant.

Use of pesticidal compositions of the present invention generallyresults in quick knockdown and 100% mortality when compared to theindividual components alone. As such, they are advantageously employedas pesticidal agents in uses such as, without limitation, households,agriculture, organic farming, professional pest control, pet bedding,foliage application, seedling box treatment, planting treatment andornamentals.

A particular embodiment of the present invention is an insecticidalcomposition comprising:

-   a) an active ingredient component containing geraniol and cedar oil,-   b) a suitable liquid carrier,-   c) at least one surface active agent, and-   d) optionally an aerosol propellant.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a method for controllinginsects comprising applying an insecticidally effective amount of aninsecticidal composition comprising:

-   a) an active ingredient component containing geraniol and cedar oil,-   b) a suitable liquid carrier, and-   c) at least one surface active agent, to a locus where insect    control is needed or expected to be needed.

Geraniol refers to trans-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadien-1-ol, CAS number106-24-1.

Cedar oil, also known as cedar-wood oil, refers to the volatile wholeoil extracts derived principally from the heartwood of Juniperusvirginiana or Juniperus ashei. The CAS number for cedar oil is8000-27-9.

The term “pesticidal concentrate” refers to a mixture of the activeingredients geraniol and cedar oil in a suitable liquid carrier and asurface active agent that requires additional dilution prior to use as aRTU spray or aerosol.

The term “Ready-To-Use liquid spray” as used herein, means a compositionof geraniol and cedar oil in a suitable liquid carrier and a surfaceactive agent that can be used without further dilution as a spraydelivered by, for example, hand held spray bottles, portable spraytanks, pressurized aerosol spray cans and the like.

It is preferred that the active ingredient geraniol be present in theRTU composition in an amount of from about 0.1% to about 1.0% by weightbased on all the components in the total RTU composition, most preferredin an amount of from about 0.4% to about 0.5% by weight based on all thecomponents in the total RTU composition.

It is preferred that the active ingredient cedar oil be present in theRTU composition in an amount of from about 0.01% to about 0.05% byweight based on all the components in the total RTU composition, mostpreferred in an amount of about 0.02% by weight based on all thecomponents in the total RTU composition.

The term “carrier” as used herein means a liquid material, which may beinorganic or organic and of synthetic or natural origin, with which theactive compounds are mixed or formulated to facilitate application ofthe active ingredients to the locus where insect control is needed. Ingeneral, any of the materials customarily employed in formulatingpesticides, herbicides, or fungicides, are suitable for use with thepresent invention. Preferred carriers include, but are not limited to,iso-paraffinic hydrocarbons, C₁ to C₁₂ straight or branched chainalcohols and water. The most preferred carrier is water. The carrier ispresent in the RTU composition in an amount that provides the correctdilution of the active ingredients.

The preferred surface active agent is sodium laureth sulfate. It ispreferred that the surface active agent is present in the RTUcomposition in an amount of from about 0.1% to about 1.0% by weightbased on all the components in the total RTU composition.

When using a pressurized aerosol spray can to deliver the RTUcomposition, aerosol propellants such as carbon dioxide, liquefiedpetroleum gasses, hydrofluorocarbons and known hydrofluorocarbonreplacements are particularly useful. Carbon dioxide is the mostpreferred propellant.

The pesticidal compositions and methods of the present invention areeffective against different species of agricultural and household pestsand it will be understood that the insects exemplified and evaluated inthe working Examples herein are representative of such a wider variety.

The following examples further illustrate the present invention, but, ofcourse, should not be construed as in any way limiting its scope. Theexamples set forth certain data demonstrating the improved efficacy ofthe compositions of the present invention.

EXAMPLE 1

Pesticidal Effects of Geraniol, Cedar Oil and Mixtures Thereof

Formulations of geraniol, cedar oil and mixtures thereof were evaluatedfor contact toxicity against the Lasius ant (Lasius niger), lady beetle(Harmonia axyridis), brown stink bug (Halyomorpha halys), green peachaphid (Myzus persicae), house cricket (Acheta domesticus) and longtailmealy bug (Pseudococcus longispinus). The plant oil test solutions wereprepared by dissolving the appropriate amount of the plant oil(s) indeionized water containing 0.5% by weight sodium laureth sulfate, forexample 4.4 grams of geraniol was dissolved in 1 liter of deioinizedwater containing 5 grams of sodium laureth sulfate to prepare a 0.44%test solution of geraniol. Each test solution was poured into a 16 ouncespray can, a valve was installed and the can was charged with carbondioxide as the propellant. Direct spraying of the test substance ontoinsects was performed to determine the efficacy of each test solution asfollows:

Lasius ant and lady beetle test—In separate tests, ten insects of eachspecies were placed onto an asphalt slab and directly sprayed for 2seconds with the appropriate test solutions. The time to 100% percentknockdown (insects stopped moving on their own), time for 100% mortality(insects did not respond to probing) and recovery from knockdown wasrecorded and is summarized in Table 1 below.

Brown stink bug and house cricket test—In separate tests, ten insects ofeach species were placed onto a concrete slab and directly sprayed for 2seconds with the appropriate test solutions. The time to 100% percentknockdown (insects stopped moving), time for 100% mortality (insects didnot respond to probing) and recovery from knockdown was recorded and issummarized in Table 1 below.

Green peach aphid test—In separate tests, a bell pepper plant, infestedwith green peach aphids, was sprayed with the appropriate test solutionuntil runoff. The time to 100% percent knockdown (insects stopped movingon their own), time for 100% mortality (insects did not respond toprobing) and recovery from knockdown was recorded and is summarized inTable 1 below.

Longtail mealy bug test—In separate tests, ten longtail mealy bugs wereestablished on several leaves of a variegated Euonymus plant, theinfested leaves were sprayed with the appropriate test solution untilrunoff. The percent mortality was assessed after 24 hours and issummarized in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 Insect Knockdown and Mortality Caused by Test Solutions ofGeraniol, Cedar Oil and Mixtures Thereof Time to 100% Time to 100%Recovery from Insect Pest Test Solution Knockdown mortality knockdownLasius ant 0.44% geraniol  9 seconds 20 seconds None 0.02% cedar oil 29seconds No mortality All recovered 0.44% geraniol  4 seconds  9 secondsNone 0.02% cedar oil Lady beetle 0.44% geraniol 20 seconds 60 secondsNone 0.02% cedar oil 30 seconds No mortality All recovered 0.44%geraniol 10 seconds 30 seconds None 0.02% cedar oil Brown stink bug0.44% geraniol 20 seconds 90 seconds None 0.02% cedar oil 60 seconds Nomortality All recovered 0.44% geraniol 15 seconds 30 seconds None 0.02%cedar oil Green peach 0.44% geraniol No apparent 3 hours None aphidknockdown 0.02% cedar oil No apparent No mortality All recoveredknockdown 0.44% geraniol 30 seconds  1 hour None 0.02% cedar oil Housecricket 0.44% geraniol 60 seconds  3 hours None 0.02% cedar oil Noapparent No mortality All recovered knockdown 0.44% geraniol 30 seconds25 minutes None 0.02% cedar oil Longtail mealy 0.44% geraniol NotDetermined 50% mortality at Not Determined bug 24 hours 0.02% cedar oilNot Determined 0% mortality at Not Determined 24 hours 0.44% geraniolNot Determined 100% mortality at Not Determined 0.02% cedar oil 24 hoursThese data demonstrate that cedar oil added to geraniol provides asynergistic composition that greatly improves the time to knockdown andquickness to 100% mortality of insects as compared to the individualcomponents and that overall, geraniol and cedar oil mixtures can be usedas a safe and effective alternative pesticide for control of householdpests.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that variations ofthe invention may be used and that it is intended that the invention maybe practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications encompassedwithin the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An insecticidal composition consisting of: a)active ingredients geraniol and cedar oil, b) a suitable liquid carrier,and c) a surface active agent, and d) optionally an aerosol propellant.2. The composition of claim 1 wherein the suitable liquid carrier iswater.
 3. The composition of claim 1 wherein the surface active agent issodium laureth sulfate.
 4. The composition of claim 1 wherein thegeraniol is present in an amount of from about 0.1% to about 1.0% byweight based on all the components in the total composition and thecedar oil is present in an amount of from about 0.01% to about 0.05% byweight based on all the components in the total composition.
 5. Thecomposition of claim 4 wherein the geraniol is present in the amount ofabout 0.44% by weight based on all the components in the totalcomposition and the cedar oil is present in the amount of about 0.02% byweight based on all the components in the total composition.
 6. A methodfor controlling insects comprising applying an insecticidally effectiveamount of a composition consisting of: a) active ingredients geranioland cedar oil, b) a suitable liquid carrier, and c) a surface activeagent, and d) optionally an aerosol propellant to a locus where insectcontrol is needed or expected to be needed.
 7. The method of claim 6wherein the suitable liquid carrier is water.
 8. The method of claim 6wherein the surface active agent is sodium laureth sulfate.
 9. Themethod of claim 6 wherein the geraniol is present in an amount of fromabout 0.1% to about 1.0% by weight based on all the components in thetotal composition and the cedar oil is present in an amount of fromabout 0.01% to about 0.05% by weight based on all the components in thetotal composition.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein the geraniol ispresent in the amount of about 0.44% by weight based on all thecomponents in the total composition and the cedar oil is present in theamount of about 0.02% by weight based on all the components in the totalcomposition.
 11. The method of claim 6 wherein the aerosol propellant isadded to the composition.